The weight of it all suddenly landed on my shoulders, and I swallowed a sigh. Going back home and curling up with that bowl of candy sounded like a really fun idea.
“Hey.”
I looked over at Reece. “Yeah?”
“Don’t let it get to you,” he advised quietly. “Nick’s a guy. And guys are generally stupid. Trust me, I know. I’m a guy. A stupid guy from time to time.”
Appreciating the words, I smiled slightly as I ran my fingers over the beads of my clutch.
When I didn’t say anything, Reece continued, his voice low. “As long as I’ve known him, he’s never been serious about anyone. He’s probably going to need a substantial learning curve when it comes to not saying things that are going to piss you off.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that, but my experience with real relationships was as nonexistent as his, and I wasn’t over here acting like an ass. Well, I kind of acted like an ass that time I didn’t respond to his text, but at least my bitchy behavior was in private.
About fifteen minutes passed and Nick had disappeared back into the kitchen along with Jax. I had no idea what they were doing in there, but when I glanced at my phone, it was close to nine. My gaze swung to the kitchen doors again, but they remained closed. Roxy was over at the other side of the bar, mixing three drinks at once.
“Hey,” I said, sliding off the stool. “I’m going to head out of here. Can you let Roxy and Calla know I said good-bye? I’ll text Nick.”
Reece lifted his glass of what I assumed was water and eyed me over the rim. “Yeah, I can do that.”
“Thanks.” I started to turn.
“Drive carefully.”
I nodded and then left the bar. The cool air that greeted me was a welcome respite. Once in my car, I sent Nick a quick text letting him know I was going home. The drive back was quick, and the first thing I did when I walked into my bedroom was kick off my shoes and pull my sweater off. I tossed it in the wicker hamper and then turned, planning to go back to the kitchen and reacquaint myself with the bowl of candy, but my gaze strayed to the shelf, across the spring break picture, and stayed on the picture of my father.
He was in tan army fatigues, and that’s how I always remembered him. Even when he had been home, at some point I saw those tan camouflage pants. They were a symbol of him coming home and a warning that he would soon be leaving. It is possible to love and hate something so fiercely and so equally.
Reaching up, I ran my fingers along the framed photo as I let out a shaky breath. God, I missed him so very much, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he’d say about having a grandchild—what he would feel. Would he have been proud or disappointed? No matter what, I knew he’d be as supportive as Mom.
I bit down on my lip as I lowered my hand. Now I really needed that candy. Tonight I was going to eat my emotions. I’d started down the hall and reached the bathroom when I heard a knock on my front door.
Frowning, I walked to the door and checked out the peephole. Surprise shuttled through me. It was Nick outside, but that didn’t make sense. He was supposed to be at work. Throwing the lock, I opened the door.
“What are—?”
The rest of the words were lost in action. He stepped in, shutting and locking the door behind him. My heart jumped into the vicinity of my throat. Nick circled an arm around my waist, lifting me up and pulling me against his chest. His other hand folded across the nape of my neck. Within a heartbeat Nick’s mouth was on mine and he was kissing me. There was nothing slow and tentative about this kiss. It was deep and consuming, and before I knew it, my arms were around his neck. I hung on to him, reeling from the depth of the kiss, of how I felt in his embrace. Like a treasure or a rare work of art. That was how he kissed, and it was like touching on forever.
Nick was slow to break the contact, but when he did, he pressed his forehead against mine. “I’m sorry,” he said, and the kiss had twisted up my senses so much that I didn’t realize at first what he was apologizing for. Or why he was talking. I just wanted him to kiss me again. “I didn’t mean to come off as a dick at the bar,” he explained, clueing me in. “I was just surprised to see you and I was worried about you being in there, in case something happened.”
My fingers tangled in the soft strands of his hair. “Nothing would’ve happened.”
“Yeah, life has a way of proving that statement wrong.” His lips brushed over mine as he spoke, sending a series of shivers down my spine. “Anyway, I think I need to learn how to think before I speak.”
A little smile tugged at my lips. “That sounds like a good plan.”
“You think so?” His gaze was hooded as he kissed me softly. When I nodded, I was rewarded with another lingering, blistering sweep of his lips. “Hold on.”
My breath caught as the arm around my waist lifted me clear off my feet. Instinct guided my legs around his hips. I felt him then, hard and straining against his jeans. It was like a switch had been thrown inside me. When he’d kissed me, pleasure swirled tightly, but feeling him now sent a bolt of pure lust through me.
Nick started walking, carrying me back toward the bedroom as he spoke. “I didn’t think.”
“Think about what?” There was a breathless quality to my voice I didn’t even recognize.
With his long-legged steps, we were in my bedroom within a heartbeat. “I didn’t think about how lonely you’ve been.” Before I could respond, he was kissing me again, his tongue dancing along mine. “That you’re new to this town, new to work, and new to me.”